A curated community board for freelance illustrators and comic creators

Weekly Roundup – November 4, 2016

Hello, and welcome again to another Weekly Roundup! In the Weekly Roundup, I provide links and summarized information about the crowdfunded projects, creator opportunities, and resources that have caught my eye over the week. I hope you enjoy!

As a note: I am not sponsored by any company, group, or individual listed below or elsewhere on this site unless otherwise listed.

Awards

Goodreads is hosting their annual Goodreads Choice Awards. The Opening Round ends Monday, November 7, 3am PST so be sure to vote and continue to vote! Here’s the graphic novels and comics section. I’ve read or heard very good things about nearly every book here, so it’s an incredibly tough choice to pick just one!

The Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity is accepting nominations for writers, artists, and creators who work towards:

…Broadening the range of characters portrayed in comics, adding to the variety of creators contributing to the medium, influence on the marketplace and contributions to the advancement of women, minorities and LGBTs in comic books and pop culture.

Nominations are accepted until December 31, 2016, and the award ceremony will take place in Long Beach, California on February 18, 2016. Think about your favorite creators whose work has helped transform the modern comic landscape and give them a chance to get the recognition they deserve!

Crowdfunded Projects

Sarah of SenshiStock is running Kickstarter for a Magical Girl Coloring Bookfeaturing her art as well as art from Yoshi Yoshitani, KoriMichele, and more! Tier options include a digital coloring page, the coloring book itself, and original artwork. The Kickstarter ends November 6, 2016.

Dangerous Women, an anthology of queer female villains brought to you by Northwest Press, is running a Kickstarter to fund its production. Their goal has been met, but crossing the $10,000 level will ensure a 50% raise for all artists involved. Tier options include PDF and print versions of the Dangerous Women book, PDF and print versions of The Lavender Menace, a print, and other comics from Northwest Press! The Kickstarter ends November 7.

Crossed Wires, a webcomic about queer hackers in a cyberpunk-influenced universe, is running a Kickstarter collecting its first two chapters (a whopping 240 pages) into a single volume. Tier options include PDF and printed versions of the book, a bookplate, original sketch, 2-inch pin, tote bag, and more. The Kickstarter ends November 9.

My Name is Stardust: Children’s Book About Science is running a Kickstarter to fund the production of their 26-page full color illustrated book about the origins of the universe, the planets, and Earth and its organisms. Tier options include PDF and printed hardcover editions of the book and prints. The Kickstarter ends November 17.

Couture, a collection of short comics inspired by iconic moments in fashion history, launched its Kickstarter this week. Contributors include renowned illustrators Jen Bartel, Marguerite Sauvage, Kevin Wada, and more. Tiers include a PDF or hard-cover copy of the book, a postcard, an enamel pin, and prints. The Kickstarter ends November 18, 2016.

Letters for Lucardo: An Erotic Graphic Novel, the first in a planned four-part erotic graphic novel series on the relationships between humans and superhumans, is running a Kickstarter to fund its production. Tier options include PDF and printed versions of the book, a bookplate, and a commission. The Kickstarter ends November 23.

Not Drunk Enough Volume 1! is running a Kickstarter to produce Volume 1 of the webcomic series by Tessa Stone. The volume will have over 150 pages in full color. Tier options include PDF and softcover versions of the book, a special foil cover edition, a NDE liquor guide, a set of prints, and enamel pin, and commissions. The Kickstarter ends November 23.

Monster Prom [a crazy twist on dating sims!] is running a Kickstarter to fund additional production of its multiplayer, cooperative, choose-your-own-adventure and dating-sim-influenced game. Tier options include the game itself, a digital artbook and zine, beta access to the game, . The Kickstarter ends on November 24.

Plume Volume 3 is running a Kickstarter to produce its 3rd volume of the webcomic series in print. Tier options include PDF, paperback, and hardcover versions of the volume, a button pack, prints, a t-shirt, and sketches. The Kickstarter ends November 25.

Creative Opportunities

Animation

Blizzard has a number of opportunities available in a variety of fields, including 3D Animation, Technical Writing, Public Relations, Security, and more.

You can find a directory of currently open animation jobs at animatedjobs.com! Companies like DHX Media, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and others have a number of open full-time, part-time, and freelance positions available, including social media, editing, and teaching.

To promote their game, Faulty Apprentice is running a character design contest! Design a “Traveling Merchant” character for a chance to have the design featured in the game.

Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic that previously published Raina Telgemeier’s Smile, Jeff Smith’s Bone, and Kazu Kibuishi’s Amulet, is accepting submissions for graphic novelists creating works for children and teens. Visit their site for more information. The deadline to apply is April 1, 2017.

Jerry’s Art-A-Rama is hosting a number of art contests, some ongoing and some requiring specific materials. Check what’s open and see if you can qualify.

Little, Brown’s Emerging Artist Award is accepting entries until January 15, 2017. Submitted mockups should invoke the diversity and rich cultural experiences in America. Potential prizes include $2500 in American Express gift cards, round trip travel to New York City, and a one-day mentorship with the Little, Brown book design and editorial team and Jerry Pinkney.

Picarto is running a competition for “Artist of the Month”! November’s theme is “Fall for Yarni” (Yarni is the thread character here). Entries are due November 25. Be sure to read and follow all submission guidelines!

SCWBIis seeking submissions for the 2017 Tomie de Paola Award. Submit an illustration of yourself as a child in a children’s book expressing and portraying quickly-read emotion. Entries are to be printed on 8.5″ x 11″ paper and due by December 1, 2016.

SCBWI is also accepting submissions for the Student Illustrator Scholarship. Scholarships provide admissions to all conference events, including keynotes and breakout sessions, entry in the Juried Portfolio Showcase, and more. Entries are due by December 5 for the Winter Conference in New York, and due May 1 for the Summer Conference.

The Silent Manga Audition announced its seventh run of its worldwide dialogue-free comic competition. The theme is “unforgettable taste.” Entries are due by March 31, 2017.

Weekly Shonen Magazine and MediBang are hosting a manga contest! Submit your completed comic by January 12, 2017 for the chance to have your work reviewed by Weekly Shonen Magazine editors. Simply post your comic of 50 pages or less and MediBang will translate it. Winners will have an editor assigned to them to help develop your comic further. Grand prize winners will also be published in Weekly Shonen Magazine’s manga app Magazine Pocket.

The TsukYam Gift Exchange, a gift exchange of art, fanfiction, and more for the Haikyuu characters Tsukishima and Yamaguchi, has applications open until November 18.

The Witchy Zine is accepting submissions of your best witch-themed art! Be sure to read the guidelines (if you can’t see the image and need me to type them out – let me know!). Submissions are due November 16, 2016.

The Writing in the Margins Mentorship Program pairs an emerging author from a marginalized social group with an experienced editor or traditionally published author in order to work closely on preparing an unpublished manuscript to submit for publication.

Apply by November 30 to be considered. Mentoring will occur between February and April for authors of color and disabled authors.

Cards Against Humanity is funding the Science Ambassador Scholarship, now accepting applications until December 11, 2016. The scholarship will cover full tuition for up to four years of an undergraduate degree for a woman studying science, engineering, or math.

Teaching

Sign up to teach at Skillshare to earn royalties based on the premium member students in your class. See here for additional information.

Translation

MyAnimeList is running a translation competition with submissions due today, November 4, 2017. Prizes include a Macbook Air, Apple Watch, a chance to visit Japan for the awards ceremony, and potential translation job offers.

Seven Seas Entertainment is looking for Japanese to English translators for light novel projects. Please submit your resume, portfolio, and/or samples of your work here.

Random House’s digital-only imprint Hydra has open submissions for completed works in the science fiction, fantasy, and horror categories. There is no word count limit for submissions, but full-length works of 40,000 words or more are preferred. Accepted writers will be assigned to a Random House editor, marketer, and publicist. Response time is usually 2-4 weeks.

Tor is accepting submissions of fantasy novellas between 20,000 and 40,000 words. The story’s world must be one not modeled on European cultures. Submissions close January 12, 2017.

Tor is also accepting pitches for essays, think pieces, reviews, and similar content with a final length of 1000 to 2000 words.

From previous weeks:

The newly launched Argot Magazine is seeking submissions about queer and marginalized experiences. Click here for more on their mission as well as their pay rates.

Book Smugglers Publishing is seeking submissions for an anthology on the theme of Gods and Monsters. Length must be between 1500 and 17,500 words in length. Payment is $0.06 per word, up to $500. Submissions are due by December 31, 2016.

Cooler is looking for part-time writers to manage content and community, write editorial pieces, and make GIFs of ongoing popular TV shows. Contributors will be paid $15/hour and work 5-10 hours/week.

Fiyah Lit Magis seeking submissions of fiction and poetry for their Summer 2017 issue with the theme “Spilling Tea”. Submissions are due by January 1, 2017. Check here for more information and details.

Handtype Press is seeking submissions from writers who are deaf or hard of hearing. Stories should be at least 500 words and at most 4000 words, with elements of science fiction, horror, fantasy, the supernatural, and/or magical realism. Submissions are due by December 31, 2016.

Coinciding with the 50 year anniversary of Loving v. Virginia, a print anthology is seeking submissions about interracial relationships. Read this tweet thread for more information on how to submit. Please submit by November 21.

Siren’s Call Publishing is seeking submissions of fiction 4000-8000 words long on first-person horror. Accepted writers will receive $25 and a copy of the anthology. Read submission guidelines here. Submissions are due by December 1.

Becca Hillburn is not only a provider of extensive, honest, and high-quality product reviews and tutorials, she’s a full-time comic artist and illustrator passionate about children’s lit and helping others. Check out her store, her book, or her Patreon and send her a “thank you” message if you can!

I updated my post about the costs of online storefronts and marketplaces. Pricing is now accurate as of 10/31/16 and information about itch.io has been added!

Jetpens released a Gift Guide for the upcoming winter holidays, with gift ideas for artists, writers, students, your officemates, and more!

Deals

Liz Staley has a sale in her Etsy store. Use coupon code BYE2016 for 20% off orders of $16 or more, or use GIMME10 for 10% off orders of $5 or more. Don’t forget to check her super helpful Youtube videos!

Giveaways

Are you a fan of Orange Junk? The Sparkler Monthly-hosted webcomic is looking to get keychains made for its upcoming Kickstarter. Vote in the poll here for a chance to win a free keychain!

Webcomic Radio Silence is hosting a giveaway with prizes such as their perfect bound full-color graphic novel, original artwork, an instrument pouch, bookmarks, and more! The giveaway ends November 20.

That’s it for this week! Look up for another post next week with these categories and possibly more. Is there something you’d like to see more of? Something you know about but don’t see here? Let me know!